Uni

.Well the auditions are over and Luke has his acceptance for uni he's got 2 acceptances one to Toowoomba and the other to QUT at Kelvin Grove where he wanted to go so he will be enrolling at QUT this week and he can relax for a bit now lol. The boys played at a concert at the Centre on Monday night one of the schools they visited when they were in Melbourne came up and they rounded up some of the primary school kids in the district and had a 160 peice orchestra all up they were absolutely brilliant. I was so proud of Luke he had to conduct the most intricate peice of music and did a great job as well as playing a solo Trombone concerto and Tom as well who did his trumpet solos so all the practise they do is worth it. Tom is going to the Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Ensemble next year and has gained a better position than last year so he's very happy. Luke has decided to knock his offer back so he can concentate on uni

First swim

Well we finally managed it. The weather had been so yuk that whenever Anabel was here it was too cold so last week we actually managed a beautiful day for her first swim and she LOVED it. She was a bit worried when I put her feet in but one she was in she had a ball. We bought her a swim seat and she thinks thats it is pretty cool maybe have something to do with handle she can chew Noel videoed it so hopefully all will go well and I will upload.

Anabel 9 months

Anabel has turned 9 months old and celebrated the occasion with her first TOOTH (finally) poor Kasey didn't think she was ever going to get any teeth,and after a horror sleeping run she seems to have settled down . She is growing in leaps and bounds. She is pulling herself up onto everything and doesn't really have much interest in the crawling thing she knows how to and can do it she just chooses not to,she would much rather be on her feet. Her favourite thing at the moment is the jolly jumper she bounces around and sings away to herself and really cracks it if she is not ready to be taken out I'll try to upload some video of her. Her second thing at the moment is her walker she loves being in it and chases the cat around. She is also very vocal and is saying quite a few words mum,dad,bub,nat,gandad,nan and Kase thinks she is trying to say namma. Dying to get her in the pool everytime we try the days have been yuk and the pool too cold so hopefully soon her togs are ready and waiting.

Moving

Well the move is on next weekend so we are off to Toowoomba to help Jeremy move over to Brissy. Kasey and Anabel are over there until this weekend and then hopefully things will get back to normal and they can be a family.

Babies

Well the last twelve months have been baby land.
Kylie and Anthony had little Lincoln who in a matter of days will turn the big ONE where did the time go he is such a sweet little boy who we definately don't see enough.
Then of course Anabel who is heading to the nine month mark she is such a cutie apart from the teething thing. We are also pretty sure that she is going to be a red head bit like her Uncle Tom who is pretty chuffed. She is on the move and growing bigger by the day.
Followed by Kaylee who is adorable. I love catching up with all her antics on Carissa and Jays blog. Car don't let Jay tell you that you aren't funny your blog is great.
Renee and Troy welcomed thier precious little redhead and third daughter Amelia Paige to join sisters Hannah and Sharlette. She is just at the smiley stage and trying to make sounds.
Peta and Wade welcomed Isabelle Louise who we thought was going to hold up her mum and dads wedding but all was well the wedding was had and bub arrived shortly afterwards going to see her this week hopefully but from the pics she is adorable.
Ken and Michelle and John are soon to welcome a new bub after 16 years so Michelle is madly collecting all that she will need for her bubba. My next project is bassinette set for the beautiful bassinette she bought it's an old cane hooded one with screw in legs we cleaned it up and it came up really well.
Matt and Keily are going to have baby number 2 which will make Noels mum a Great grandma(no14) and a grandma(no 22 Jem is currently the youngest) in the same year.

There has also been a lotos excitement with all us first time Grandmas congrats to all of us Jen,Vik,Karen and Me.

We also had orientation day at work last week and our little twin god daughters Maddie and Cass are off to Prep next year now I really do want to know where the time has gone. They are gorgeous little girls love seeing them they are chatty bubbly bright and funny and a joy to have around.

Anabels Christening

Anabels christening was a great day she was absolutely perfect and I think once she realised nothing that exciting was going on she went to sleep . Different story when we dressed her up again to take photos she had a ball but would not sit still I think she thought her grandma had finally gone crackers so we have a series of photos with her dress over her head and in her mouth and not much else oh well. Lucky the pics from the day were pretty good. It was great to see everyone and catch up.

Jem

Can't beleive that in a few short weeks our baby will be at high school.He is so ready for it this last term has been a struggle with him to do homework and he is super emotional (hormones I guess) but after 4 boys I'm pretty immune to the rot now and IGNORE most of it . Me I can't wait to go to just go to work and not worry about all the other stuff when things are due If they can't get it right at high school then tough. Sadly though he has given up on music which is a bit of a shame but the teacher at the school is horrific and kids are dropping out like flies . Sad though when Carlie was there at beginning of year he loved it. The boys are talking about teaching him at home so that he will play at high school so we'll see how that goes. He is still doing well at Karate and is a purple belt which is 2 away from black and has recently taken up Mitie as well. He is still madly into FORDS but coming from a holden household this is not always a good thing. But I don't think there is any chance of changing his mind with all the Ford Lovers he hangs out with (sorry Jen,Paul,Car,Jay Di,Darryl,Shane,Elle,Mick,Lyn and Sam) He also has decided that (thanks Jen) he wants a boxer dog as he absolutely adores Dozer.I told him he could have whatever he wants when he leaves home and will have to be content feeding Dozer when Jen and Paul are away.

Nats 21st

What a night Nat wanted a 21st and we all had a ball it rained so we moved it undercover . Nat was a bit under the weather but he had a good time.

China

Luke went to China in Sept/Oct with Lyme(Logan youth music exchange) He had an absolute ball they were also stuck in a typhoon they had to evacuate 2 million people (unreal can you imagine doing that here) This is his third trip with them and makes all the practice worthwhile . And the pressys were pretty good too including pics of Anabel in her little chinese outfit she looks adorable in it can't wait for her to fit it properly. He is auditioning for Queensland Youth Orchestra again today as is Tom they were both in wind ensemble this year. They also went to Sydney and played at the opera house this year which they were pretty chuffed about.

Cradle

I bought a cradle for Anabel (which to say the least needed a lot of work but hey I bought it for a dollar on E bay) . I broke it all down and sanded and sanded mostly by hand and then put it all back together. Ended up going to a restorer with it to get some wood ( The cradle originally had folding legs but we decided to make stretchers for it) Anyway was pleasantly surprised to find out that it really was old between 65 and he thought more like 80 years old. Finished it off with beeswax which I'll probably regret but he thought best because the wood is so brittle. Anyway all is done except the net tester and I made calico bumpers and quilt to go in it and all in all I thought It came up pretty well and Anabel loved it . I'm just cranky as I did'nt take before photos it looks so different and I was pretty impressed that I did it all myself (Excepting the stretchers which the very talented Uncle Grumpy made for me) Now I have to start on the rocking horse i bought her also an e bay bargain.

Anabel 2

Anabel changed so much in the first 6 months but she is such a good little girl Kasey is a great mum .

Anabel

This year has been pretty amazing we were shocked amazed and overjoyed to welcome Kasey's baby girl the beautiful Anabel Grace Maree. After a 3am arrival on the bathroom floor (Kasey was pretty chuffed she did it all herself) There were a few dramas after for Kase which resulted in blood transfusions and torn ligaments which meant she could'nt walk for a couple of weeks but she recovered well and we are grateful that they are both healthy and doing very well. Anabel is bright,bubbly and very social. She is the light of our lives and is already spoilt rotten .........